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Invisalign aligners are a popular alternative to traditional wire braces. Wondering how exactly they move your teeth? Here’s a look at the process.

Consultation

Typically, the process starts with a consultation with your dentist or orthodontist. During that appointment, you talk about your overall objectives (removing gaps, straightening your smile. fixing your bite, etc.). Then, the orthodontist takes 3D images of your mouth, which are used to create your aligners.

Understanding Invisalign Aligners

These aligners are made of a thermoplastic material that feels comfortable in your mouth. You actually get several different aligners. Each one is just a bit different from the previous one. As you move through these aligners, your teeth slowly shift into the desired spots. Each aligner may focus on different teeth. It all depends on the treatment plan that your orthodontist has created for you.

Treatment Time

Just as people have metal braces for different amounts of time depending on their needs and goals, people also wear Invisalign aligners for different amounts of time. Generally, the more changes you need, the longer you can expect to wear your aligners. That said, the average treatment time takes about a year.

Appointments During Treatment

With any type of orthodontic care, you have to meet with your orthodontist multiple times throughout the treatment. Luckily with Invisalign, you don’t have to go to the orthodontist as often as you do for other types of treatment. Usually, you only need to go in every four to six weeks. During these appointments, the orthodontist checks on your progress and updates your aligners as needed.

Wearing Invisalign

Invisalign aligners feel more comfortable than traditional braces. because there are no wires or metal, you don’t have to worry about your mouth getting scratched. As an added bonus, you can even take out your Invisalign aligners as needed. Ideally, however, if you really want the treatment to work, you need to wear your aligners 20 to 22 hours per day.

You should only take them out for brushing and flossing. If you are the parent of a teen, you may want to get Invisalign aligners with trackers built in. These are color-coded devices that track how long your child has been wearing their aligners. That can help to ensure that your child is getting the treatment they need.

Professional Training for Invisalign

In order to offer Invisalign, orthodontists and dentists are required to attend special classes. These courses ensure that your dental health care provider has the knowledge and experience to administer the treatment correctly. After obtaining a great deal of experience, some dental professionals become Premier Preferred Providers or Elite Preferred Providers. That simply means that they have more experience helping patients with Invisalign than a regular Preferred Provider.

Wondering if Invisalign is right for you? Then, contact FUNtastic Dental today to learn more. We are a pediatric dentist in Long Beach, CA. In addition to general dentistry for kids, we also offer orthodontic services for the entire family. Our focus is on providing you and your children with a pain-free, anxiety-free environment while helping you to maintain or straighten your smile.